Systems and methods for detection and illumination of regions of interest

ABSTRACT

An illumination system for a lighting assembly comprises a light assembly configured to selectively illuminate an operating region in a surgical suite and a plurality of light sources positioned within the light assembly and configured to emit light. The system further comprises at least one imager configured to capture image data and a controller. The controller is configured to scan the image data in at least one region of interest for a shaded region and identify a location of the shaded region within the region of interest. The controller is further configured to control the light assembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit light impinging on the shaded region within the region of interest.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/271,007, filed Feb. 8, 2019, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORDETECTION AND ILLUMINATION OF REGIONS OF INTEREST, now U.S. Pat. No.10,517,158, which claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/628,760, filed onFeb. 9, 2018, entitled ADAPTIVE ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS WITH IMAGE-BASEDCONTROL, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to illumination systems and,more particularly, to surgical theater and surgical suite illuminationsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Artificial lighting provided in surgical theaters and surgical suitesmay present a number of issues with regard to positioning, shadows,luminosity, and glare. Often, medical professionals are not stationary,and the lighting needs to be dynamic due to the shifting of personneland instruments throughout the surgical procedure. Further, differencesin the physical dimensions of personnel may make positioning lightsources challenging. Accordingly, new illumination systems for surgicalsuites may be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of this disclosure, an illumination system for alighting assembly comprises a light assembly configured to selectivelyilluminate an operating region in a surgical suite and a plurality oflight sources positioned within the light assembly and configured toemit light. The system further comprises at least one imager configuredto capture image data and a controller. The controller is configured toscan the image data in at least one region of interest for a shadedregion and identify a location of the shaded region within the region ofinterest. The controller is further configured to control the lightassembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit lightimpinging on the shaded region within the region of interest.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method forilluminating a region of interest in an operating region is disclosed.The method comprises capturing image data in a field of viewrepresenting the operating region and emitting a plurality of emissionfrom a plurality of light sources. The method further comprises scanningthe image data for at least one object position along an emission pathbetween at least one of the light sources and a region of interest.Based on the detection of the object along the emission path, the methodcomprises identifying a location of the shaded region within the regionof interest. The method further comprises controlling at least one ofthe plurality of light sources to emit light impinging on the shadedregion within the region of interest.

According to yet another aspect of this disclosure, an illuminationsystem for a surgical suite is disclosed. The illumination systemcomprises a light assembly configured to selectively illuminate anoperating region in the surgical suite. A plurality of light sources ispositioned within the light assembly and configured to emit light. Atleast one imager is configured to capture depth image data identifying adepth of at least one object in a field of view. The system furthercomprises a controller configured to scan the depth image data in atleast one region of interest and generate a depth map of the operatingregion based on the depth image data and identify a position of at leastone object located in the operating region based on the depth map. Thecontroller is further configured to identify a location of a shadedregion within the region of interest based on the position of the atleast one object. Based on the location of the at least one object andthe shaded region, the controller is configured to control the lightassembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit lightimpinging on the shaded region within the region of interest.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. Itwill also be understood that features of each example disclosed hereinmay be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, features ofthe other examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a description of the figures in the accompanyingdrawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain featuresand certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or inschematic in the interest of clarity.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a surgical suite utilizing an illuminationsystem;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a surgical suite comprising anillumination system configured for adaptive lighting;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view lighting module of an illumination system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a surgical suite comprising anillumination system comprising an articulating head assembly configuredfor adaptive lighting;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart demonstrating a disinfection routine for adaptivelighting;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart demonstrating a shadow mitigation routine foradaptive lighting; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an illumination system in accordance withthe disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows and will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing theinvention as described in the following description together with theclaims and appended drawings.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a surgical suite utilizing anillumination system 10 is shown. The illumination system 10 is depictedin a surgical suite 14 and includes one or more light assemblies 18. Thelight assemblies 18 may include one or more light sources 20. Theillumination system 10 may include one or more imagers 22 depicted toaid in the use of the illumination system 10. The imager 22 may bepositioned within or coupled to the light assemblies 18 (e.g., inhandles or bodies), a table 26, a wearable device 28 and/or around thesurgical suite 14. The imager 22 may be a charge-coupled device (CCD)imager, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imager, othertypes of imagers and/or combinations thereof. According to variousexamples, the imager 22 may include one or more lenses to collimateand/or focus the light reflected by the patient, the table 26 or otherfeatures of the surgical suite 14.

The table 26 may at least partially define a surgical field 30. Forpurposes of this disclosure, the surgical field 30 may be an operatingfield, which may be an isolated area where surgery is performed. Allfurniture and equipment in the surgical field 30 may be covered withsterile drapes. Positioned within the surgical suite 14 may be one ormore instruments 34 or tools that may be utilized in various procedures.Although described in connection with the surgical suite 14, it will beunderstood that the illumination system 10 of the present disclosure maybe utilized in a variety of environments. For example, the illuminationsystem 10 may be utilized in automobile repair areas, doctors' offices,dentistry, photography studios, manufacturing settings, as well as otherareas where dynamic lighting solutions may be advantageous.

The table 26 may be configured to support a patient during a surgicalprocedure. According to various examples, the table 26 may have asquare, rectangular and/or oval configuration. The table 26 may becomposed of a metal (e.g., stainless steel), a polymer and/orcombinations thereof. According to various examples, a sterile covering(e.g., a cloth or paper) may be positioned across a surface of the table26. The table 26 may be configured to tilt, rotate and/or be raised orlowered. The tilting of the table 26 may be advantageous in allowingusers (e.g., medical personnel) positioned around the table 26 to moreeasily access the patient and/or surgical field. In addition to tilting,it will be understood that the table 26 may be configured to raise orlower, rotate and/or slide about an X-Y plane.

As provided by various embodiments of the disclosure, the lightingsystem 10 may provide for adaptive lighting configured to detectlighting levels in the surgical suite 14. For example, the position ofone or more instruments 34 and/or medical personnel 36 may cause one ormore shadows 38 or shaded regions to form. The one or more imagers 22 ofthe system 10 may be configured to capture image data demonstrating theshadows 38. The image data may be supplied to a controller 40, which mayidentify the location of the shadows 38 in the surgical suite 14 and/orthe surgical field 30. In response to identifying the shadows 38, thecontroller 40 may be configured to control the light assemblies 18 toalter the intensity, focus, and/or origin of the light emitted from thelight assemblies 18 to illuminate the shadows 38. For example, the lightcontrol routine may auto adjust the intensity of one or more of thelight sources 20 if another light source 20 gets blocked or beginsproducing shadows.

In some embodiments, the disclosure may further provide for thedetection and/or treatment of potentially contaminated regions 42 of thesurgical suite 14 and/or the surgical field 30. The contaminated regions42 may correspond to regions where dirt, biological material, and/orbodily fluids (e.g. mucus, blood, saliva, urine, etc.) may be depositedin the surgical suite 14. Such material may be deposited as a result ofone or more procedures or foreign contaminants shed by patients orpersonnel in the surgical suite 14. In such embodiments, the system 10may be configured to selectively illuminate various regions in thesurgical suite 14 with a detection emission of light ranging fromapproximately 25 nm to 600 nm. In response to receiving the detectionemission, the contaminated regions 42 may absorb one or more bands ofwavelengths in the detection emission. Based on the varying levels ofabsorption, the one or more imagers 22 may be configured to identify thecontaminated regions 42.

In addition to identifying the contaminated regions 42, the system 10may further provide for disinfection of the contaminated regions 42. Forexample, in some embodiments, one or more of the light sources 20 of thelight assemblies 18 may be configured to emit wavelengths of germicidallight. Accordingly, in response to identifying the contaminated region42 in the surgical suite 14, the controller 40 may activate a germicidalemission of the germicidal light to sterilize bacteria that may occupythe contaminated region 42. As discussed herein, the selectiveillumination of the region of the surgical suite 14 wherein thecontaminated region 42 is located may be illuminated by selectivelyactivating the light sources 20 and adjusting the intensity, focus,and/or origin from where the germicidal emission is emitted. Thegermicidal emission may comprise wavelengths of light ranging fromapproximately 260 nm to 270 nm. Such wavelengths may be emitted from oneor more of the light sources 20, which may comprise Mercury-based lamps,Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode (UV-C LED) lamps, and/or pulsed-xenonlamps.

The light assemblies 18 may take a variety of configurations. The lightassemblies 18 may include one or more light sources 20. In a firstexample, the light assemblies 18 may be modular and interconnected andsupported by a track system. For example, the light assemblies 18 mayhave a circular, oval, oblong, triangular, square, rectangular,pentagonal or higher order polygon shape. It will be understood thatdifferent light assemblies 18 may take different shapes and that theillumination system may include a variety of light assemblies 18. Thetrack system of the light assemblies 18 may allow for one or more lightassemblies 18 to be moved relative to other light assemblies 18. Theshape of the light assemblies 18 may be configured to allow the lightassemblies 18 to “fit” or mate together along edges of the lightassemblies 18. For example, square or triangular light assemblies 18 maybe grouped in contact with one another or separated to form a largershape (e.g., a cross, pentagon, freeform, etc.). According to variousexamples, the light assemblies 18 may be configured to snap together, orotherwise electrically and/or mechanically connect to one another. Forexample, the light assemblies 18 may share electrical power with oneanother once connected.

In various embodiments, the light assemblies 18 of the lighting system10 may operate independently and may also operate in conjunction withone another. For example, each of the light assemblies 18 may comprisethe controller 40 and/or be in communication with the controller 40.Accordingly, the controller 40 may selectively activate one or more ofthe light sources 20 of the light assemblies 18 providing for a scalablesystem to be formed by each of the light assemblies 18 controlled by thecontroller 40 in concert. In this way, the lighting system 10 may bescaled and flexibly implemented in various permanent or permanentinstallations in accordance with the disclosure.

In yet another example, the light assembly 18 may be configured tooperate in conjunction with a mirror 41. The mirror 41 may be positionedabove the table 26. In the depicted example, the mirror 41 is positionedwith the ceiling of the surgical suite 14, but it will be understoodthat the mirror 41 may additionally, or alternatively, be suspendedabove the table 26. According to various examples, the mirror 41 may beconcave such that light emitted by the light assembly 18 may becollimated and reflected toward the table 26 and/or the patient. In suchan example, the light assembly 18 may include one or a plurality oflight sources 20 positioned in a ring and configured to emit lighttoward the mirror 41. The light sources 20 may be positioned proximate aperimeter of the mirror 41 and/or proximate the table 26. Such anexample of the light assembly 18 may be advantageous in allowing thelight sources 20 and/or light assembly 18 to be positioned inunconventional locations away from a ceiling of the surgical suite 14.

As explained above, the light assemblies 18 may include one or morelight sources 20 configured to emit visible and/or non-visible light.For example, the light sources 20 may be configured to emit visiblelight, infrared light (e.g., near-infrared and/or far-infrared) and/orultraviolet light. In some examples, the light sources 20 may be strobedat a controlled frequency. Visible light examples of light from thelight sources 20 may have a color temperature of from about 1,700 K toabout 27,000 K. The color temperature of one or more of the lightsources 20 may be variable across the color temperature range. Inexamples of the light sources 20 configured to emit infrared light, theinfrared light may be used with one or more guidance systems (e.g.,scanning and control systems) as described in greater detail below. Inexamples of the light sources 20 which emit ultraviolet light, theultraviolet light alone, or in combination with other features (e.g.,TiO₂ coatings, films and/or paints), may be configured to providecleaning, sanitation and/or sterilization of surfaces (e.g., the table26, instruments 34, the light assembly 18 and/or other portions of thesurgical suite 14). For example, the ultraviolet light may be used in aphotocatalytic process to kill bacteria, viruses, and/or to eliminatedirt and grime.

The light sources 20 may be light-emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs,and or other light-emitting sources. The light sources 20 may also beconfigured to emit light which excites a fluorescent dye. In suchexamples, the light may be referred to as an excitation emission. Theexcitation emission may be infrared, visible and/or ultraviolet light.In such examples, a fluorescent dye may be applied within the surgicalsite (e.g., incision or open cavity) of the patient such thatapplication of the excitation emission to the patient causes thesurgical site to fluoresce in visible light. Further, a biodegradablepowder may be applied to the surgical site in the patient which maycarry the fluorescent dye and/or be configured to reduce glare byscattering light off wet surfaces. In such an example, the biodegradablepowder may be clear such that the underlying tissues are still visible,but alters the reflection of light such that the light is not specularlyreflected and perceived as glare.

According to various examples, one or more of the light sources 20 is alight engine capable of producing un-polarized and/or polarized light ofone-handedness including, but not limited to, certain liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs), laser diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs),incandescent light sources, halogen light sources and/or organiclight-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In polarized light examples of the lightsources 20, the light sources 20 are configured to emit afirst-handedness polarization of light. According to various examples,the first-handedness polarization of light may have a circularpolarization and/or an elliptical polarization. In electrodynamics,circular polarization of light is a polarization state in which, at eachpoint, the electric field of the light wave has a constant magnitude,but its direction rotates with time at a steady rate in a planeperpendicular to the direction of the wave. A circularly polarized wavecan be in one of two possible states, right-handedness circularpolarization in which the electric field vector rotates in a right-handsense with respect to the direction of propagation, and left-handednesscircular polarization in which the vector rotates in a left-hand sense.Using the handedness convention, left- or right-handedness is determinedby pointing one's left or right thumb toward the source, against thedirection of propagation, and then matching the curling of one's fingersto the temporal rotation of the field. Elliptically polarized light mayalso be described as having a handedness in a substantially similarmanner to that of the circularly polarized examples, but the electricvector varies in magnitude during rotation. Circular polarization of thelight may be achieved when linearly polarized light from the lightsources 20 passes through an integral or separate quarter-wave plate.Additionally, or alternatively, a reflective polarizer may be utilized.If a reflective polarizer is used on the light sources 20, as opposed toan absorbing polarizer, the light emitted by the light sources 20 thatis the “wrong” polarization (e.g., the second-handedness polarization oflight) is reflected back into the light source 20 where it can be“depolarized” and reflected back toward the polarizer.

In polarized examples of the light sources 20, as the surgical site ofthe patient is illuminated by the first-handedness polarization of lightfrom the light sources 20, the moisture or water present within thepatient may tend to specularly reflect the first-handedness polarizationof light as the second-handedness polarization of light. As explainedabove, the first-handedness of polarization, once specularly reflectedoff of the patient may reverse in handedness to form thesecond-handedness polarization of light and be perceived by a humanand/or machine (e.g., the imager 22) observer as glare. Generally, glareis the effect caused by the specular reflection of light reflected offof a smooth surface, such as a surface film of water. This glare canvisually mask the details of the object below the reflecting surface andcan obscure surrounding objects because the “glare” image appearsbrighter than surrounding objects. The reflected second-handednesspolarization of light may be opposite from the first-handednesspolarization of light. In examples where the first-handednesspolarization of light is circularly polarized, the first and secondpolarizations of light are circularly polarized opposite from oneanother. In other words, the first and second polarizations of light mayhave an opposite handedness (e.g., left-handedness andright-handedness). As will be explained in greater detail below, anoptical filter may be incorporated into the wearable device 28, into afilter positioned between the user and the patient, the imager 22 and/orinto the movable screen example of the light assembly 18.

The light sources 20 may be light-emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs,and or other light-emitting sources. The light sources 20 may also beconfigured to emit light which excites a fluorescent dye. In suchexamples, the light may be referred to as an excitation-emission. Theexcitation-emission may be infrared, visible and/or ultraviolet light.In such examples, a fluorescent dye may be applied within the surgicalsite (e.g., incision or open cavity) of the patient such thatapplication of the excitation-emission to the patient causes thesurgical site to fluoresce in visible light. Further, a biodegradablepowder may be applied to the surgical site in the patient which maycarry the fluorescent dye and/or be configured to reduce glare byscattering light off wet surfaces. In such an example, the biodegradablepowder may be clear such that the underlying tissues are still visible,but alters the reflection of light such that the light is not specularlyreflected and perceived as glare.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a schematic view of a surgical suite comprising anillumination system configured for adaptive lighting. Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, the illumination system 10 may include one or moreimagers 22. The imager 22 may be configured to capture image data in afield of view 50 capturing at least a portion of the surgical suite 14and/or from the surgical field 30. The imager 22 may be configured torelay visual information to the controller 40 of the illumination system10. The controller may include a memory and a processor. The memory maystore computer executable commands (e.g., routines) which are controlledby the processor. According to various examples, the memory may includea light control routine and/or an image analyzing routine. The imageanalyzing routine is configured to process data from the imager 22. Forexample, the image analyzing routine may be configured to identifyshadows and luminosity of the surgical filed 30, the light from theguidance system, location of points of interest (e.g., users around thetable 26, the wearable device 28) and/or gestures from the users. Thecontroller 40 is further discussed in reference to FIG. 7, whichillustrates an exemplary block diagram of the system 10.

According to various examples, the image analyzing routine may also beconfigured to identify the location of a plurality of markers 52 withinthe image. The markers 52 may be symbols, computer readable codes and/orpatterns which designate a point of interest in the image. For example,a plurality of markers 52 can be positioned around the surgical field 30such that the image analyzing routine may determine the perimeter of thesurgical field 30. Further, one or more markers 52 may be positioned onthe instruments 34, the users, points of interest in the surgical suite14 and/or the patient. The image analyzing software may or may not tracklight from the guidance system outside of the perimeter indicated by themarkers 52 and/or the surgical field 30.

Once the image analyzing routine has processed the data from the imager22, the light control routine may control how the light assemblies 18are operated. For example, the light control routine may be configuredto move, steer, activate or otherwise influence the light assemblies 18to emit light where the user is looking or working (e.g., as measuredfrom the guidance system). In such embodiments, the system 10 maycomprise one or more positioning devices 54 (e.g., a motor, actuator,etc.), which may correspond to electro-mechanical systems configured toadjust a position and or projection direction 56 of one or more of thelight sources 20. In static, or fixed, examples of the light sources 20,the light sources 20 may be assigned to focus on various predefinedpoints (e.g., on a patient and/or on the table 26).

In some embodiments, the controller 40 may process and control thesystem 10 to complete a light control routine. The light control routinemay selectively activate and\or steer lighting emissions 58 from thelight sources 20 adjusting an orientation, position, and/or a locationof origin of the lighting emissions 58 based on the shadows 38 orvariations in illumination in the surgical suite 14. The light controlroutine may gradually adjust the position or orientation of the lightingemissions 58 to minimize uncomfortable fast switching of illumination.In this way, the system 10 may provide for the detection and selectiveillumination of various portions of the surgical suite 14.

It will be understood that any and all features described in connectionwith the light sources 20 may be applied to any and all of the examplesof the light assemblies 18. For example, the in situ light assembly 18may include pixelated and/or independently movable light sources 20while the movable light assembly 18 may emit polarized light. Further,the steerable examples of the light sources 20 may be applied to any ofthe light assembly 18 examples.

According to various examples, one or more users positioned within thesurgical suite 14 may include the wearable device 28. The wearabledevice 28 may be eyewear (e.g., goggles, eye glasses), headwear (e.g., aface shield, helmet, visor, etc.), a garment and/or combinationsthereof. In eyewear examples, the wearable device 28 may be configuredto enhance (e.g., by increased transmission) or eliminate one or morewavelengths or wavelength bands of light. For example, when using thefluorescent dye explained above, the wearable device 28 may allow alllight of the wavelength emitted from the fluorescent dye to pass throughthe wearable device 28. Such a feature may be advantageous in allowing agreater visibility of the fluorescent dye which may result in a higherperceived luminance of the surgical site.

In another example, the wearable device 28 may be configured toeliminate one or more polarizations of light. As explained above,specularly reflected circularly polarized light may reverse inhandedness. The wearable device 28 may be configured to allow thefirst-handed polarization of light to pass, while eliminating thesecond-handedness polarization of light to minimize glare. According tovarious examples, polarization filtering may be accomplished by anoptical filter within the wearable device 28. The optical filter isconfigured to reflect and/or absorb the second-handedness polarizationof light. The optical filter may include one or more reflectivepolarizers and/or absorptive polarizers. In such examples, the opticalfilter may be referred to as a polarizer. Reflective polarizer examplesmay include a wire grid polarizer plus a quarter wave plate or opticalretarder, a multilayer plastic film, such as a dual brightnessenhancement film (DBEF) polarizer with a quarter wave plate, an opticalretarder and/or a liquid crystal material. DBEF film or absorbingpolarizer examples of the optical film may have a transmittance ofambient light and/or the first-handedness polarization of light incidenton the optical filter of about 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 45%, 49%, 50%,60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or greater than about 99%. Further, the opticalfilter may have a reflectance and/or absorbance of about 5%, 10%, 20%,30%, 40%, 45%, 49%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 99% or greater of thesecond-handedness polarization of light. Removal of thesecond-handedness polarization of light may reduce and/or eliminate aperceived glare off of the surgical site. The color of thefirst-handedness polarization of light which passed through the opticalfilter may be a fairly neutral gray to avoid influencing the naturalvisible colors.

According to various examples, the wearable device 28 may be shutteredand linked to one or more of the light assemblies 18 and theillumination system 10 to provide different lighting for differentusers. For example, in strobed examples of the light sources 20,different wearable devices 28 may provide different shutter speeds anddelays such that a perceived intensity of the light is different fordifferent users. Such a feature may be programmed into the wearabledevice 28 or may be adjusted dynamically during surgery.

According to various examples, the wearable device 28 may be configuredto reflect and/or to emit light. In reflective examples, the wearabledevice 28 may include a mirror 41 or other reflective surface configuredto collect, reflect, redirect and/or collimate light from one or more ofthe light assemblies 18. For example, the reflective element of thewearable device 28 may include one or more galvanometers and/orgyroscopes which change the reflection axis of the reflective element toredirect the light from the light assembly 18 to where the wearer islooking. Additionally, or alternatively, the wearable device 28 mayinclude one or more light sources 20. Efficiency of the light sources 20may be increased by turning the light sources 20 on and off based onwhether the wearer is looking at the surgical field 30, only turning onlight sources 20 that are pointed at the field 30 (e.g., while shuttingoff light sources 20 that are pointing away) and/or by adjusting theintensity of light based on measured lighting and/or shadowing of thearea the user is looking at. According to various examples, the wearabledevice 28 may be lighter and/or have an increased battery time comparedto conventional lighting systems. Further, the wearable device 28 may becordless. Further, the wearable device 28, in eyewear examples, mayprovide magnification of light.

According to various examples, the wearable device 28 may include one ormore guidance systems. The guidance systems may include a feature toindicate where the wearer is looking and/or working. For example, theguidance system may include a laser emitting visible and/or nonvisible(e.g., infrared) light. The light emitted from the guidance system maybe tracked by the imager 22 and relayed to the illumination system 10.Such tracking of the light emitted from the guidance system may allowthe illumination system 10 to emit light from the light assemblies 18where the user is looking.

As explained above, the illumination system 10 may include one or moreimagers 22 which capture image data from the surgical suite 14 and/orfrom the surgical field 30. The imager 22 may be configured to relayvisual information to a controller of the illumination system 10. Thecontroller 40 may include a memory and a processor. The memory may storecomputer executable commands (e.g., routines) which are controlled bythe processor. According to various examples, the memory may include alight control routine and/or an image analyzing routine. The imageanalyzing routine is configured to process data from the imager 22. Forexample, the image analyzing routine may be configured to identifyshadows and luminosity of the surgical field 30, the light from theguidance system, location of points of interest (e.g., users around thetable 26, the wearable device 28) and/or gestures from the users.According to various examples, the image analyzing routine may also beconfigured to identify the location of a plurality of markers 52 withinthe image. The markers 52 may be symbols, computer readable codes and/orpatterns which designate a point of interest in the image. For example,a plurality of markers 52 can be positioned around the surgical field 30such that the image analyzing routine may determine the perimeter of thesurgical field 30. Further, one or more markers 52 may be positioned onthe instruments 34, the users, points of interest in the surgical suite14 and/or the patient. The image analyzing software may or may not tracklight from the guidance system outside of the perimeter indicated by themarkers 52 and/or the surgical field 30.

Once the image analyzing routine has processed the data from the imager22, the light control routine may control how the light assemblies 18are operated. For example, the light control routine may be configuredto move, steer, activate or otherwise influence the light assemblies 18to emit light where the user is looking or working (e.g., as measuredfrom the guidance system). In a first example, the light control routinemay steer or otherwise move the emitted light from the light sources 20to track where the user is looking and/or where hands and instruments 34are positioned. The light control routine may slow the speed of movementof the light relative to the movement of the user's gaze to minimizeuncomfortable fast switching of illumination. In a second example, whenthe user's gaze is detected outside of the surgical field 30, the lightassemblies 18 may be configured to emit light toward a last known gazeposition. Further, the light control routine may be configured to switchoff one or more light sources 20 positioned on the wearable device 28 toconserve its power. Third, the light control routine may control one ormore of the lighting assemblies 18 based on gesture control. Forexample, where the light from different lighting assemblies 18 isdirected may be indicated by gestures (e.g., displaying a single fingerat a point where a first light source 20 should shine and displaying twofingers at a location where a second light source 20 should shine).Other exemplary gestures which the light control routine may respond tomay include pinching to enlarge or contract the light beam. Steering ofthe light from the light sources 20 may be accomplished by any of themethods outlined above. In a third example, the light control routinemay respond to the location and orientation of markers positioned on theuser (e.g., on a head or hands/gloves).

For example, illumination from the light assemblies 18 may be moved oraltered based on the head and/or hand orientation of the user. Further,the light control routine may be configured to direct or steer lightfrom one or more of the light sources 20 to the reflector of thewearable device 28. For example by monitoring the user and movement ofthe marker, the image analyzing routine may determine where thereflector is and emit light at the appropriate angle towards it toilluminate the surgical site. In a fourth example, one or more of theimagers 22 may be a visible light camera which can detect shadowing andthe light control routine may alter the illumination accordingly. Forexample, the light control routine may auto adjust the intensity of oneor more of the light sources 20 if another light source 20 gets blockedor begins producing shadows. It will be understood that the lightcontrol routine may also be controlled via voice or mechanical input(e.g., foot) without departing from the teachings provided herein. In afifth example, the light control routine may be configured to turn offone or more lights automatically. For example, if the light controlroutine detects that a light source 20 will shine in a user's eyes orproduce glare due to the angle of the light and positioning of a user,the light control routine will automatically turn off the offendinglight source and compensate by activating other light sources 20 and/orincreasing the luminance of the other light sources.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the imager 22 may beused in conjunction with one or more infrared emitters 60. Thoughdemonstrated as a single infrared emitter in FIG. 2, the system 10 maycomprise a plurality of infrared emitters 60 distributed throughout thelight assemblies 18. In operation, the infrared emitters 60 may projectan infrared emission 62 comprising a field of infrared dots 64 into thesurgical suite 14. The infrared dots 64 may be detected by one or moreimage processors of the controller 40 based on the image data capturedby the imager 22 demonstrating the field of view 50. In response to thedetection, the controller 40 may identify the relative position of theinfrared dots 64 and control one or more of the light sources 20 and thepositioning devices 54 to direct lighting emissions 58 to illuminate adesired location in the surgical suite 14.

The controller 40 may identify a location of the infrared dots 64 in thesurgical suite 14 by applying one or more image analyzing routines and athree-dimensional map of the surgical suite 14. With thethree-dimensional map, any of the above-noted light control routineoperations may be performed. Additionally, in order to direct thelighting emissions 58 (or various electromagnetic emissions discussedherein), the position of each of the light sources 20 and any range ofmotion of the projection direction 56 may be calibrated to thecontroller 40. Accordingly, once the location of a shadow 38 or anypoint of interest is identified by the controller 40 based on theinfrared dots 64, the controller 40 may selectively direct one or moreof the lighting emissions 58 to illuminate the shadow 38. In this way,the controller 40 may control the activation, orientation, and/or originof the light sources 20 to illuminate a desired region or portion of thesurgical suite 14

The controller 40 may also be configured to identify a location of theshadow 38 or various other points of interest (e.g., the contaminatedregion 42) or any various portions or regions of the surgical suite byapplying one or more image recognition techniques. For example, theillumination system 10 may be configured to track the location and useof the instruments 34. For example, the instruments 34 may include apaint, marker and/or indicator which can be seen (e.g., infraredreflective and/or fluorescent) by the imager 22. Additionally, thecontroller 40 may be configured to detect one or more portions of thepersonnel 36, the table 26, a patient, or various shapes or characterscaptured in the image data in the field of view 50. The instruments 34may be coded based on type (e.g., consumable tool vs. non-consumable)and/or by the operator using or placing them. The instruments 34 may betracked as they enter and exit the surgical field 30 by showing them toimager 22. In some examples, one or more of the instruments 34 mayinclude a radio frequency identification tracking device, which may beidentified by the controller 40 for presence detection and located basedon triangulation or other methods.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the system 10 may further be configured todetect and/or sterilize potentially contaminated regions 42 of thesurgical suite 14 and/or the surgical field 30. The contaminated regions42 may correspond to regions where dirt, biological material, and/orbodily fluids (e.g., mucus, blood, saliva, urine, etc.) may be depositedin the surgical suite 14. Such material may be deposited as a result ofone or more procedures or foreign contaminants shed by patients orpersonnel in the surgical suite 14. In such embodiments, the system 10may comprise one or more detection emitters 70 configured to selectivelyilluminate various regions in the surgical suite 14 with a detectionemission 72. The detection emission 72 may consist of light ranging fromapproximately 25 nm to 600 nm. In response to receiving the detectionemission, the contaminated regions 42 may absorb one or more bands ofwavelengths in the detection emission 72. Based on the varying levels ofabsorption, the one or more imagers 22 may be configured to identify thecontaminated regions 42. The imager 22 may comprise one or more colorfilters or colored lenses (e.g. a yellow or orange lens) that mayemphasize or improve the detection contaminated regions 42.

In addition to identifying the contaminated regions 42, the system 10may further provide for disinfection of the contaminated regions 42. Forexample, in some embodiments, the light sources 20 of the lightassemblies 18 may comprise one or more sterilization emitters 80configured to sterilization emissions 82 comprising wavelengths ofgermicidal light. Accordingly, in response to identifying thecontaminated region 42 in the surgical suite 14, the controller 40 mayactivate the sterilization emission 82 of germicidal light such that theemission 82 impinges up the contaminated region 42 for sterilization.The sterilization emission 82 may comprise wavelengths of light rangingfrom approximately 250 nm to 290 nm. Such wavelengths may be emittedfrom one or more of the light sources 20, which may compriseMercury-based lamps, Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes (UV-C LED) lamps,and/or pulsed-xenon lamps.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic view lighting module of an exemplaryembodiment of the lighting assemblies 18 is demonstrated and will bereferred to as a lighting module 90. The lighting module 90 may comprisethe plurality of light sources 20 disposed in a housing 91 or enclosure.The housing 91 may be configured to house the light sources 20, the oneor more imagers 22, and may be configured to be suspended or otherwisemounted to one or more of the positioning devices 54. In thisconfiguration, the lighting module 90 may provide for a modular assemblythat may be utilized in a variety of applications.

The light sources of the lighting module 90 may comprise a plurality ofvisible light sources 92. The visible light sources 92 may comprise twoor more different light sources configured to emit different colortemperatures of light. For example, a first visible light source 92 amay be configured to emit a warm light emission 94 a (e.g. approximately4000K color temperature). Additionally, a second visible light source 92b may be configured to emit a cool light emission 94 b (e.g.,approximately 6500K color temperature). Each of the emissions 94 a and94 b may not be limited to the specific color temperatures discussedherein. Accordingly, the terms warm and cool may refer to the relativecolor temperature of the emissions 94 a and 94 b in the exemplaryembodiment. Accordingly, the controller 40 may selectively activate eachof the light sources 92 a and 92 b to emit the emission 94 a and 94 b.In this way, the system 10 may provide for a lighting module 90 operableto control a desired lighting intensity, light beam extent or scope, andcolor temperature to provide dynamic lighting.

The light sources 20 may further comprise one or more of the infraredemitters 60, the detection emitters 70, and/or the sterilizationemitters 80. As previously discussed, the infrared emitters 60 mayproject an infrared emission 62 comprising a field of infrared dots 64into the surgical suite 14. The detection emitters 70 may be configuredto emit a detection emission 72 into the surgical suite 14 toselectively illuminate one or more contaminated regions 42 forsterilization. The sterilization emitters 80 are configured to emit thesterilization emissions 82 to sterilize the surgical suite 14 includingone or more specific locations identified by the controller 40 where thecontaminated regions 42 are identified. Accordingly, in variousembodiments, the disclosure provides for a multi-purpose, intelligentadaptive lighting system that may be implemented in the surgical suite14 or a variety of similar applications.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the surgical suite 14 comprising theillumination system 10 incorporating an articulating head assembly 100.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the articulating head assembly 100 may serveas an exemplary embodiment of the one or more positioning devices 54 inaccordance with the disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality ofthe lighting modules 90 are shown suspended from a ceiling of thesurgical suite 14 by the head assemblies 100. The head assemblies 100may be in connection with the housing 91 of the lighting module 90. Thehead assembly 100 may comprise a first actuator 102 a configured torotate the lighting module 90 about a first axis 104 a (e.g. theY-axis). The head assembly 100 may further comprise a second actuator102 b configured to rotate the lighting module 90 about a second axis104 b (e.g. the X-axis). In this configuration, the lighting module 90may be suspended above the table 26 in the surgical suite 14 and thecontroller may be configured to control the actuators 102 a and 102 b toaim or direct each of the emissions (e.g., 60, 70, 80, 94 a, and/or 94b) as well as the field of view 50 of the imager 22 throughout thesurgical suite.

The head assembly 100 may comprise one or more gimbaled arms, which canbe maneuvered or adjusted in response to a movement (e.g., rotationalactuation) of the actuators 102 a and 102 b. In this configuration, thecontroller 40 may be configured to control each of the actuators 102 aand 102 b to manipulate the orientation of the lighting module 90 on thehead assembly 100 by controlling the rotation of the lighting module 90about the first axis 104 a and the second axis 104 b. Such manipulationof the lighting module 90 may enable the controller 40 to direct thelight sources 20 and the imager 22 to illuminate, sterilize, and/ordetect an entire floor surface 106 of the surgical suite 14. In thisway, the system 10 may provide an increased range of motion andincreased operating region for the one or more of the light assemblies18 as discussed herein.

Though the imager 22 is shown incorporated in each of the lightingmodules 90, the imager 22 may be located remotely from the lightingmodule 90. For example, a single imager 22 may be centrally located inthe surgical suite 14 in connection with a central controller. Thecentral controller may be configured to process the image data capturedby the imager 22 and control each of the head assemblies bycommunicating control signals to each of the controllers 40. In thisway, each of the lighting modules 90 may not be required to include animager 22 and may also not be required to independently process theimage data. However, in some embodiments, incorporating the imagers 22in each of the lighting modules 90 may be beneficial to provideadditional fields of view.

The positioning devices 54 and actuators 102 a, 102 b, as discussedherein, may correspond to one or more electrical motors (e.g., servomotors, stepper motors, etc.). Accordingly, each of the positioningdevices 54 (e.g. the actuators 102) may be configured to rotate thelighting module 360 degrees or within the boundary constraints of headassembly 100 or other support structures that may support the lightassemblies 18. The controller 40 may control the one or more positioningdevices 54 (e.g. motors) to direct each of the emissions (e.g., 60, 70,80, 94 a, and/or 94 b) of the light sources 20 as well as the field ofview 50 of the imager 22 to target a desired location in the surgicalsuite 14. In order to accurately direct the lighting module 90 to targetthe desired location, the controller 40 may be calibrated to control theposition of the lighting module 90 to target locations in a grid or workenvelope of the surgical suite 14. The calibration of such a system mayrequire maintenance in the form of calibration updates or compensationdue to variations in operation of the positioning devices 54 andactuators 102 that may occur over time.

In some embodiments, the light assemblies 18 may also be positioned on atrack assembly. In such embodiments, the light assemblies 18 may also beconfigured to translate along the first axis 104 a and the second axis104 b. Such a configuration of the lighting system 10 may provide agreater range of movement such that the controller 40 can reach regionsof the surgical suite 14 that may be occluded or otherwise unreachableby the emissions (e.g., 60, 70, 80, 94 a, and/or 94 b) of the lightsources 20 as well as the field of view 50 of the imager 22.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart is shown demonstrating a disinfectionroutine 110 for the system 10 configured to provide adaptive lighting.The routine 110 may begin by aiming the lighting module 90 with the headassembly 100 (112). In general, the disinfection routine 110 maycomprise treating one or more regions of the surgical suite with one ormore emissions of the sterilization emission 82. In some embodiments,the sterilization emissions 82 may be emitted from each of a pluralityof the lighting modules 90. For example, a central controller maycontrol each of the controllers 40 or each of the controllers 40 may beconfigured to communicate and operate in coordination to direct thesterilization emission 82 to one or more regions in the surgical suite.In this way, the intensity of the sterilization emission 82 delivered toa target region may be significantly increased. In doing so, the system10 may be operable to reduce a sterilization time for one or moreregions in the surgical suite 14.

In some embodiments, the system 10 may be configured to control thecontrollers 40 to direct one or more of the sterilization emissions 82to systematically sweep the surgical suite 14. Such operation may becompleted by sweeping over the entirety of the surgical suite along afixed, sweeping path or raster path until the sterilization emission 82have been delivered to the reachable or unobstructed surfaces for aprescribed time necessary for sterilization. In some embodiments, one ofmore regions of the surgical suite may be prioritized for sterilization.For example, the table 26 and other regions in the surgical suite may beidentified as primary treatment regions. Accordingly, the system 10 maycontrol one or a plurality of the lighting modules 90 to direct thesterilization emissions 82 to sweep the table 26 prior to completing afull sweep of various remaining or secondary portions of the surgicalsuite 14.

In embodiments implementing the plurality of lighting modules 90 and/oremitters 80 distributed in different regions of the surgical suite 14,the controllers 40 or a central controller may control the emitter totreat regions closer in proximity or localized to each of the emitters80. For example, in an embodiment comprising four lighting modules 90and head assemblies 100 configured to adjust the projection direction ofthe emitters 80 independently. Each of the head assemblies 100 and thecorresponding actuators 102 may be controlled by the controllers 40 or acentral controller in communication with the controllers to completelocalized sterilization treatment sweeps by applying raster treatmentpaths in separate quadrants of the surgical suite 14. Each of thequadrants treated by the lighting modules 90 may correspond to a regionor quadrant nearest each of the four respective lighting modules 90 andcorresponding sterilization emitters 80. In this way, the system 10 mayprioritize one or more regions for sterilization and/or complete asystematic treatment of the surgical suite 14 with the sterilizationemissions 82.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the controllers 40 or a central controllermay additionally be operable to detect one or more of the contaminatedregions 42 for treatment. The system 10 may detect the contaminatedregions 42 by maneuvering the head assemblies 100 to scan the surgicalsuite 14. In order to maneuver the head assemblies 100, the controllers40 or a central controller may control the positioning devices 54 (e.g.,the actuators 102) to aim the emissions (e.g., 60, 70, 80, 94 a, and/or94 b) of the light sources 20 as well as the field of view 50 of theimager 22 to initial detection regions. The detection regions andcorresponding paths of the lighting modules 90 may be different ordistinct covering non-overlapping portions of the surgical suite 14. Forclarity, the routine 110 is discussed in reference to a single lightingmodule 90 in reference to FIG. 5. Once the lighting module 90 is aimedat the initial detection region, the controller may activate thedetection emitter 70 in the first detection region (114). While thedetection emitter 70 is emitting the detection emission 72, thecontroller 40 may capture and process image data in the field of view 50directed at the first target region (116). The controller 40 may thenprocess the image data to identify the contaminated regions 42 (118).

Based on the image data, the controller 40 may determine if thecontamination region is detected (120). If the contaminated region 42 isidentified in the image data, the controller 40 may activate thesterilization emitters 80 (122). The controller 40 may maintain theactivation of the sterilization emitters to direct the sterilizationemission 82 at the contaminated region 42 for a predetermined time. Ifthe contaminated region 42 is not identified in the image data, thecontroller 40 may continue to step 124 to determine if the routine 110is complete. If the routine 110 is not complete, the controller 40 maycontinue to control the positioning device 54 (e.g., the actuators 102)to aim the emissions (e.g., 60, 70, 80, 94 a, and/or 94 b) of the lightsources 20 as well as the field of view 50 of the imager 22 to a secondtarget region (126). If the routine 110 is complete in step 124, thecontroller 40 may end the routine and continue to position the headassembly in a home position.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart is shown demonstrating a shadowmitigation routine 130 for adaptive lighting. The routine 130 may beginby maneuvering a plurality of the articulating head assemblies 100 todirect the lighting modules 90 at the surgical field 30 (132). Once thelighting modules 90 are directed at the surgical field 30, thecontroller 40 may control the imager(s) 22 to capture image data in thefield of view 50 (134). While capturing the image data, the controller40 may additionally activate the infrared emitters 60 to project theinfrared emission 62 into the surgical field 30 (136). A processor ofthe controller 40 may then process the image data to identify one ormore shadows 38 (138). The shadows 38 may be detected based onvariations in pixel intensity, which may correspond to blockages or dimregions in the surgical field 30.

In step 140, the controller 40 may determine whether a shadow 38 isdetected. If one or more shadows 38 are detected, the controller 40 maycontinue to attempt to identify a location of the obstruction based onthe image data, which may include the infrared dots 64 of the infraredemission 62 (142). Based on the image data, the controller 40 maycontrol the positioning device 54 (e.g., the actuators 102) to adjust anaim of one or more of the lighting modules 90 to avoid a path extendingbetween the table 26 in the surgical field 30 and the obstruction (144).In this way, the system 10 may detect and verify whether theillumination from the lighting modules 90 had effectively illuminatedthe shadows 38 in the operating region throughout operation. Followingthe adjustment of the aim in step 144 or if the shadow 38 is notdetected in step 140, the controller may determine if the routine 130 iscomplete in step 146. If the routine is complete, the controller 40 mayend the routine and position the head assemblies in their homepositions. If the routine is not complete in step 146, the routine mayreturn to step 134 and monitor the image data in the surgical field 30.

In some implementations, the obstructions may similarly be identifiedbased on a depth image data that may be captured by the imagers 22 in astereoscopic configuration. As previously discussed, the imagers 22 maybe incorporated in one or more of the lighting modules 90 and/or variouscomponents of the system 10. Based on the depth image data, the system10 may be configured to identify that the light emitted from one or moreof the lighting modules 90 is reflected from the obstruction andreflected back in the depth image data at a depth that differs from oneor more of the other lighting modules 90. Based on the difference indepth, the controller 40 of the system 10 may be configured to identifythat one or more of the emissions from the light sources 20 of thelighting modules 90 is blocked by the obstructions. In response to thedetection, the controller 40 may activate an additional or alternativelighting module 90 to illuminate the region of interest, which may beconfirmed by illuminating the region having a greater depth in the depthimage data relative to the obstruction.

Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram of an illumination system 10 isshown. As discussed herein, the illumination system 10 may include oneor more imagers 22 configured to capture image data from the surgicalsuite 14 and/or from the surgical field 30. The imagers 22 may beconfigured to relay visual information to the controller 40 of theillumination system 10. The controller may include a memory 150 and aprocessor 152. The memory 150 may store computer executable commands(e.g., routines) which are controlled by the processor 152. According tovarious examples, the memory 150 may include a light control routineand/or an image analyzing routine. In exemplary embodiments, the memory150 may include the disinfection control routine 110 and/or the shadowmitigation routine 130.

Once the image analyzing routine has processed the image data from theimager 22, the controller 40 may communicate one or more controlinstructions to a motor or actuator controller 154. In response to thecontrol signals, the motor controller 154 may control the actuators 102a, 102 b or the positioning devices 54 to move, steer, or otherwiseadjust an orientation of the light assemblies 18. In this way, thecontroller 40 may direct the lighting assemblies 18 to emit light and/ordirect the field of view 50 to a desired location. The system 10 mayadditionally comprise one or more power supplies 156. The power supplies156 may provide for one or more power supplies or ballasts for variouscomponents of the lighting assembly 18 as well as the actuators 102 a,102 b or positioning devices 54.

In some embodiments, the system 10 may further comprise one or morecommunication circuits 158, which may be in communication with theprocessor 152. The communication circuit 158 may be configured tocommunicate data and control information for operating the system 10 toa display or user interface 160. The interface 160 may comprise one ormore input or operational elements configured to control the system 10and communicate data identified by the gauge system 10. Thecommunication circuit 158 may further be in communication withadditional lighting assemblies 18, which may operate in combination asan array of lighting assemblies. The communication circuit 158 may beconfigured to communicate via various communication protocols. Forexample, communication protocols may correspond to process automationprotocols, industrial system protocols, vehicle protocol busses,consumer communication protocols, etc. Additional protocols may include,MODBUS, PROFIBUS, CAN bus, DATA HIGHWAY, DeviceNet, Digital multiplexing(DMX512), or various forms of communication standards.

In various embodiments, the system 10 may comprise a variety ofadditional circuits, peripheral devices, and/or accessories, which maybe incorporated into the system 10 to provide various functions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the system 10 may comprise a wirelesstransceiver 162 configured to communicate with a mobile device 164. Insuch embodiments, the wireless transceiver 162 may operate similar tothe communication circuit 158 and communicate data and controlinformation for operating the system 10 to a display or user interface160 of the mobile device 164. The wireless transceiver 162 maycommunicate with the mobile device 164 via one or more wirelessprotocols (e.g. Bluetooth®; Wi-Fi (802.11a, b, g, n, etc.); ZigBee®; andZ-Wave®; etc.). In such embodiments, the mobile device 164 maycorrespond to a smartphone, tablet, personal data assistant (PDA),laptop, etc.

In various embodiments, the light sources 20 may be configured toproduce un-polarized and/or polarized light of one-handedness including,but not limited to, certain liquid crystal displays (LCDs), laserdiodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent light sources, gasdischarge lamps (e.g., xenon, neon, mercury), halogen light sources,and/or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In polarized lightexamples of the light sources 20, the light sources 20 are configured toemit a first-handedness polarization of light. According to variousexamples, the first-handedness polarization of light may have a circularpolarization and/or an elliptical polarization. In electrodynamics,circular polarization of light is a polarization state in which, at eachpoint, the electric field of the light wave has a constant magnitude,but its direction rotates with time at a steady rate in a planeperpendicular to the direction of the wave.

As discussed, the light assemblies 18 may include one or more of thelight sources 20. In examples including a plurality of light sources 20,the light sources 20 may be arranged in an array. For example, an arrayof the light sources 20 may include an array of from about 1×2 to about100×100 and all variations therebetween. As such, the light assemblies18 including an array of the light sources 20 may be known as pixelatedlight assemblies 18. The light sources 20 of any of the light assemblies18 may be fixed or individually articulated. The light sources 20 mayall be articulated, a portion may be articulated, or none may bearticulated. The light sources 20 may be articulated electromechanically(e.g., a motor) and/or manually (e.g., by a user). In static, or fixed,examples of the light sources 20, the light sources 20 may be assignedto focus on various predefined points (e.g., on a patient and/or on thetable 26).

Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above aremerely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope ofthe disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure, and other components, is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure, as shown in the exemplary embodiments,is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multipleparts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, and the nature or numeral ofadjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. Itshould be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes, or steps withindescribed processes, may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further, it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims, unless these claims, by their language, expresslystate otherwise. Further, the claims, as set forth below, areincorporated into and constitute part of this Detailed Description.

As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes,formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics arenot and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger orsmaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, roundingoff, measurement error, and the like, and other factors known to thoseof skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a valueor an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood toinclude the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not anumerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites“about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended toinclude two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modifiedby “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point andindependently of the other end-point.

The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as usedherein are intended to note that a described feature is equal orapproximately equal to a value or description. For example, a“substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that isplanar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended todenote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In someembodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of eachother, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of eachother.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination system, comprising: a lightassembly configured to selectively illuminate an operating region in asurgical suite; a plurality of light sources positioned within the lightassembly and configured to emit light; at least one imager configured tocapture image data; and a controller configured to: scan the image datain at least one region of interest for a shaded region; identify alocation of the shaded region within the region of interest; and controlthe light assembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emitlight impinging on the shaded region within the region of interest. 2.The illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneimager is configured to capture depth image data.
 3. The illuminationsystem according to claim 2, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: identify the location of the shaded region within theregion of interest based on a three-dimensional position of an objectidentified based on the depth image data.
 4. The illumination systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to:generate a three-dimensional map of the operating region based on thedepth image data indicating the three-dimensional position of at leastone object located in the operating region.
 5. The illumination systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:identify an obstruction resulting in the shaded region within the regionof interest based on the three-dimensional position of the at least oneobject blocking at least one emission output from one or more of theplurality of light sources.
 6. The illumination system according toclaim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to: in response tothe detection of the at least one obstruction, adjust an emissiondirection of at least one of the plurality of light sources toilluminate the shaded region within the region of interest.
 7. Theillumination system according to claim 5, wherein the controller isfurther configured to: activate at least one of the plurality of lightsources to illuminate the shaded region based on the identifiedthree-dimensional position of the at least one object blocking the atleast one emission output from one or more of the plurality of lightsources.
 8. The illumination system according to claim 5, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: in response to the detection of theat least one obstruction, adjust an emission path of at least one of theplurality of light sources aligning an emission direction of at leastone of the plurality of light sources with the shaded region whileavoiding the obstruction based on the identified three-dimensionalposition of the at least one object.
 9. The illumination systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to:confirm an illumination of the shaded region based the illumination ofthe region of interest in the image data.
 10. The illumination systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the at least one imager comprises aplurality of imagers configured in a stereoscopic configuration.
 11. Theillumination system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lightsources are in connection with an articulating assembly comprising atleast one actuator, where the controller is configured to control the atleast one actuator to adjust an emission path of at least one of theplurality of light sources.
 12. The illumination system according toclaim 11, wherein the controller is configured to control the at leastone actuator in connection with the articulating assembly to adjust theemission path of a visible light emission of the plurality of lightsources to impinge upon the shaded region.
 13. A method for illuminatinga region of interest in an operating region, the method comprising:capturing image data in a field of view representing the operatingregion; emitting a plurality of emissions from a plurality of lightsources; scanning the image data for at least one object positionedalong an emission path between at least one of the light sources and aregion of interest; identifying a location of a shaded region within theregion of interest based on the detection of the at least one objectalong the emission path; and controlling at least one of the pluralityof light sources to emit light impinging on the shaded region within theregion of interest.
 14. The method according to claim 13, furthercomprising controlling an articulating light assembly to adjust theemission path of the at least one light source emitted from at least oneof a plurality of light sources to emit light impinging on the shadedregion within the region of interest.
 15. The method according to claim13, further comprising: detecting the shaded region within the region ofinterest by identifying a variation in luminosity of the image data. 16.The method according to claim 13, further comprising: wherein the imagedata comprises depth image data configured to identify athree-dimensional location of the at least one object in the field ofview.
 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:identifying the location of the object in the depth image data; andidentifying the location of an obstruction resulting in the shadedregion within the region of interest based on the intersection of theemission path of the at least one light source with the object.
 18. Themethod according to claim 16, further comprising: adjusting the emissionpath of the light emitted from at least one of the plurality of lightsources avoiding the location of the object between at least one of theplurality of light sources and the region of interest.
 19. Anillumination system, comprising: a light assembly configured toselectively illuminate an operating region in a surgical suite; aplurality of light sources positioned within the light assembly andconfigured to emit light; at least one imager configured to capturedepth image data identifying a depth of at least one object in a fieldof view; and a controller configured to: scan the depth image data in atleast one region of interest; generate a depth map of the operatingregion based on the depth image data; identify a position of at leastone object located in the operating region based on the depth map;identify a location of a shaded region within the region of interestbased on the position of the at least one object; and control the lightassembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit lightimpinging on the shaded region within the region of interest.
 20. Theillumination system according to claim 4, wherein the controller isfurther configured to identify an obstruction resulting in the shadedregion within the region of interest based on the position of the atleast one object blocking at least one emission output from at least oneof the plurality of light sources.